Articulated, angle-steering, and tilting three-wheeled toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

An articulated toy vehicle is capable of straight and curved motion on a surface or through water. A front and rear assemblies are supported by wheels and are joined at a steering knuckle capable of positioning the assemblies in a vertical posture when the vehicle is moving along a straight path, and positioning the rear assembly in a non-vertical posture when the vehicle is moving along a curved path. A drive motor is mounted within and engaged with one of the wheels for driving the vehicle. A steering motor is mounted within the vehicle for setting the assemblies on a selected mutual angle to provide curved and straight line motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of provisional application, Ser. No. 29/249991, filed on Oct. 30, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to toy vehicles, and in particular, to an articulated, toy vehicle with in-wheel drive, tilt mechanism and steering by setting an angle between two sections of the vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The following art defines critical aspects of the present state of this field:

Kennedy et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,044, discloses an articulated toy vehicle capable of negotiating a difficult terrain such as a terrain characterized by successive troughs and peaks and other irregularities. The articulated vehicle is composed of a wheeled tractor section and a series of wheeled trailer sections linked thereto by means of a motor-driven, multi-section drive shaft, each section of which is operatively coupled to a wheel axle of a respective vehicle section. The drive shaft sections are intercoupled by detachable universal joints whereby as the vehicle traverses the difficult terrain, it assumes a sinuous formation conforming to the varying contours of the terrain to provide a distributed traction making it possible for the vehicle to overcome the difficulties presented by the terrain.

Legal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,055, discloses a motorized wheel assembly provided for a wheelchair in which there is a seat for receiving the occupant attached to a vertical shaft with a single central wheel mounted at the bottom of the shaft for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse to the chair and defining a direction of forward movement of the wheel forwardly of the chair. On the shaft is carried a battery and control unit for supplying power to the drive motor of the, wheel mounted on the hub of the wheel. An outrigger frame includes a sleeve slidable on the shaft and a plurality of arms extending outwardly from the sleeve each arm carrying a castor wheel to prevent toppling of the device. Steering is achieved by the feet of the user applied to the outrigger frame to rotate the chair and the drive wheel about a vertical axis. The wheel is of the motor in a hub design which is achieved by providing a cylindrical housing surrounding the motor with at least one annular bearing on the outer peripheral surface of the housing carrying the rim of the wheel which directly surrounds the housing. An output shaft at one end of the housing drives the rim through a coupling extending around the housing.

Klawitter, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,263, discloses an articulated toy vehicle operable by a child including a cab and a trailer pivotally connected to the cab. A pair of non-steerable front wheels are mounted to the cab to be driven by pedals. A pair of back wheels are mounted to the trailer. A steering mechanism is provided which pivots the trailer relative to the cab to turn the vehicle.

Heinen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,437, discloses an electric motor in a wheel, control, measuring and operating devices in the wheel for operating the electric motor, and a data communication link in the wheel. At least two of such wheels may be attached to one vehicle and coordinated. A wheel strut is attached to the wheel using an attachment that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The wheel strut is able to rotate the wheel using the attachment.

The prior art teaches articulated toy vehicles and also drive means contained within or as part of a drive wheel and these features are considered to be important to the utility of the present invention. However, the present invention distinguishes over the prior art in providing a tilting means and valuable utility therefore in an articulated toy vehicle. Important advances in the technology are taught in the present application in the apparatus for driving, for tilting, and for steering the presently described apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

An articulated toy vehicle is capable of moving over a straight or curved path. A front and rear assemblies, supported by wheels, and are joined at a steering knuckle capable of positioning the assemblies in a vertical posture when the vehicle is moving along a straight path, and also positioning the rear assembly in a non-vertical posture when the vehicle is moving along a curved path. A drive motor is mounted within and engaged with a rear one of the wheels for propelling the vehicle. A steering motor is mounted within the steering knuckle for setting the assemblies at a selected mutual angle thereby inducing curved or straight line motion. The vehicle is preferably radio controlled so that it may be driven over a course including hard surface, mud, sand and through water. Paddles on the drive wheel are used for amphibious operation.

A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a toy vehicle that is propelled by a motor mounted within one of the wheels.

A further objective is to provide such a vehicle that is steered by positioning a rear portion relative to a front portion of the vehicle.

A still further objective is to provide such a vehicle that can traverse a variety of terrain types including solid surfaces, sand, mud and also through water.

A still further objective is to provide such a vehicle that tilts the rear portion when navigating a curved path in order to provide improved traction or paddling power.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 is an front elevational view of the presently described apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a partial section view thereof taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2, with an axle and motor housing not sectioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.

Described now in detail is an articulated three-wheeled toy vehicle which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a front assembly 12 and a rear assembly 18. The front assembly 12 is supported by a pair of front wheels 40 attached by wheel struts 16 as best seen in FIG. 1. The vehicle may have a cab 14 and other decorative features as shown and such features may be changed without loss of the novel features of the present invention. The rear assembly 18 supports a single rear wheel 50 mounted in a fork 22 as best seen in FIG. 3. The front 12 and rear 18 assemblies are joined at a steering knuckle 20 in such a manner that the rear assembly 18 is able to rotate laterally with respect to the front assembly 12, to one side or the other of the vehicle's longitudinal centerline 28. When the rear assembly 18 is displaced from the centerline 28, the rear wheel 50 tilts to one side; and because wheel 50 has a circular cross-section it is able to maintain traction when navigating turns.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a horizontal pivot pin 32 couples the steering knuckle 20 with the rear fork 22 so that the rear wheel 50 is able to move vertically about the pivot pin 32. Preferably, a shock absorber 36 is mounted between the steering knuckle 20 and the fork 22, so as to place a downward force on rear wheel 50 to improve traction. Shock absorber 36 also limits the vertical rotation of wheel 50 about pivot pin 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, steering knuckle 20 comprises an upper portion 20A which is part of the rear assembly 18, and a lower portion 20B which is part of the front assembly 12. Steering motor 30 is mounted within upper portion 20A and its motor shaft 31 extends downwardly into lower portion 20B where it is engaged so that when shaft 31 is rotated by motor 30, rear assembly 18 is caused to be laterally displaced with respect to centerline 28. Upper portion 20A slides on lower portion 20B at intersecting line 33. Therefore, the vehicle is steered, as lateral displacement of the rear wheel 50 places a turning moment on front assembly 12. It is shown that motor shaft 31 is inclined at an angle A which is preferably about 45° off horizontal, but may be between 30° and 60° off horizontal as shown in FIG. 2 by axis 28 a, as this range of angles has been shown to provide the best operation of the presently described vehicle. Because of angle A, and complimentary tilt angle of intersecting line 33, lateral displacement of rear wheel 50 from centerline 28 causes it to tilt as stated above. This provides improved traction in a turn because the tilted wheel 50 brings the wheel's paddle-like vanes 58 into greater contact with the terrain.

Propulsion of the vehicle is provided by rear wheel 50. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, rear wheel 50 is hollow and rotates freely on fixed axle 56. A drive motor 60 is fixedly mounted in motor case 62 which, in turn, is fixedly mounted on axle 56. Axle 56 is fixedly engaged at opposing ends with the legs of rear fork 22. Pinion gear 64 is engaged with and rotated by drive motor 60. An internal tooth ring gear 70 is mounted within, or molded inside, wheel 50 and is engaged with the pinion gear 64 so that rotation of motor 60 and pinion gear 64 rotates wheel 50. The ring gear 70 may be merely a circular series of slots arranged on the interior surface of the rear wheel 70 so as to mate with the pinion gear 64. The motor 60 receives power from a battery 25 which is carried within rear assembly 18 as shown in FIG. 3. Small diameter wires (not shown) leading from battery 25 to both steering motor 30 and drive motor 60. A radio signal receiver and switching circuit board 26 functions with the battery and motor circuit for remote control operation of the vehicle.

In the preferred embodiment, the wheels 40 and 50 are sealed so as to provide buoyancy for amphibious operation of the vehicle. As previously noted and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of paddle-like vanes 58 extend around both sides of the rear wheel 50, to assist in propelling the vehicle through water. Preferably, the vanes 58 extend in a arcuate manner as shown in FIG. 3 so as to better engage soft terrain, such as sand and mud, and especially through water.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented. 

1. An articulated three-wheeled toy vehicle apparatus comprising: a front assembly supported by a pair of front wheels; a rear assembly supported by a drive wheel rotationally engaged with a fixed rear axle; the front and rear assemblies joined at a steering knuckle having an upper portion and a lower portion rotationally joined along a rotational axis positioned at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees relative to the horizontal; a drive motor mounted on the rear axle within the drive wheel; a pinion gear rotationally engaged with the drive motor; a ring gear mounted within the rear wheel and engaged with the pinion gear; whereby, rotation of the drive motor causes the rear wheel to rotate driving the vehicle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear wheel is mounted in a fork secured to a pivot pin enabling the fork and rear wheel to move vertically, and a shock absorber engaged between the steering knuckle and the fork to limit said vertical movement.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a steering motor mounted in the steering knuckle, the steering motor engaged for moving the lower portion of the steering knuckle relative to the upper portion of the steering knuckle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotational axis is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wheels are hollow thereby providing flotation to the vehicle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear wheel provides radially positioned paddle-like vanes thereon, the vanes arcuate shaped.
 7. An articulated three-wheeled toy vehicle apparatus comprising: a front and rear assemblies supported for rolling by three wheels, the assemblies oriented vertically when the vehicle is rolling on a straight course; the front and rear assemblies joined at a steering knuckle having an upper portion and a lower portion rotationally abutting at an interface, the interface positioned at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees relative to the horizontal so that the rear one of the assemblies moves off of the vertical orientation the vehicle is rolling on a non-straight course; and a drive motor mounted within and engaged with one of the three wheels providing rotation thereto for driving the vehicle on the straight or non-straight course.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a shock absorber is engaged with the apparatus thereby limiting vertical movement of the rear one of the assemblies.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the one of the three wheels is mounted in a fork pivotally engaged with one of the assemblies.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a steering motor mounted in the steering knuckle, the steering motor engaged for moving one portion of the steering knuckle relative to the other portion of the steering knuckle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the wheels are hollow thereby providing flotation to the vehicle.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the wheels provides radially oriented paddle-like vanes thereon.
 13. An articulated toy vehicle apparatus capable of straight and curved motion on a surface, the apparatus comprising: a front and rear assemblies supported by wheels; the front and rear assemblies joined at a steering knuckle, the steering knuckle positioning the assemblies in a vertical posture when the vehicle is describing straight motion, and further positioning one of the assemblies in a non-vertical posture when the vehicle is describing curved motion; and a drive motor mounted within and engaged with one of the wheels providing rotation thereto for driving the vehicle in the straight motion and in the curved motion.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein a shock absorber is engaged with the apparatus thereby limiting vertical movement between the assemblies.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein one of the wheels is mounted in a fork pivotally engaged with one of the assemblies.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a steering motor mounted in the steering knuckle, the steering motor engaged for positioning the vehicle for straight and curved motion.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wheels are hollow thereby providing flotation to the vehicle.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least one of the wheels provides radially oriented paddle-like vanes thereon. 